Barack Obama visit: allies seek G8 funds for Middle East democracies

Middle Eastern countries that have risen up against authoritarian regimes will
get money and backing from G8 countries in a move to install permanent
democracies and bolster Western security, under a joint plan between Britain
and the US.

David Cameron will fly to a meeting of leaders of the major economies in France today determined to seek support for pro-democracy movements in North Africa and the Middle East.

Standing alongside Barack Obama at a press conference during the US President’s state visit yesterday, the Prime Minister made it clear the Arab Spring had to be a “turning point in history”.

He said the G8 group would discuss how to promote “democracy, freedom and prosperity” in the Middle East. So far only the pro-democracy movements in Egypt and Tunisia have successfully toppled their leaders.

The Prime Minister said: “The President and I are agreed we will stand with those who work for freedom. This is the message we will take to the G8 when we push for a major programme of economic and political support for those countries seeking reform.”

Later, Mr Obama, in a speech to both houses of Parliament, said the UK and US would “stand squarely on the side of those who long to be free”.

Before arriving in Deauville for today’s G8 meeting, he said: “Now we must show that we will back up those words with deeds. That means investing in the future of those nations that transition to democracy, starting with Tunisia and Egypt, by deepening ties of trade and commerce; by helping them demonstrate that freedom brings prosperity.”

Both leaders said it was vital that in Libya, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi should go.

But while Mr Cameron said it was time for “turning up the heat in Libya,” Mr Obama appeared less gung-ho, pointing out that both countries had said there would not be “boots on the ground” in Libya.

Both men were keen to point out their intervention in Libya was not comparable with the go-it-alone strategy in Iraq of Tony Blair and George W Bush.

Mr Obama said: “We have a broad range of partners under an international mandate designed to save lives.”